One of Argentina’s most important tourist airports is undergoing a major renovation

As part of the full growth of the commercial air transport sector, Bariloche Airport is being expanded to accommodate up to six simultaneous flights

October 12, 2025 – 3:44 p.m

San Carlos de Bariloche Airport is receiving an important investment in its infrastructure that will make it one of the most important tourism and commercial hubs in the country. Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, in collaboration with ORSNA and the Ministry of Transport, presented the Project to expand and redesign the passenger terminal, This will add and allow 1750 square meters of space handle up to six flights at the same time.

The work responds to the airport’s strong growth carried 2.3 million passengers in 2025with a monthly average of 230,000 travelers. This number skyrockets in the winter season when Demand increases by up to 50% and daily passengers reach a an average of 10,000 people.

The project envisages: a Approximate investment of $15 million The aim is to optimize the passenger experience, improve traffic and create more space in boarding areas both domestically and internationally. The governor of Río Negro, Alberto Weretilneck, emphasized that these works are “fundamental” for a city with sustained tourism growth and thanked the public-private action to “consolidate” development.

Bariloche Airport Expansion: The Project in Detail

The overall expansion includes the installation of 1,750 square meters of new terminal space and the transformation of 2,700 m2 of the existing area, i.e. 11,000 m2. The focus of the improvements is on operational capacity and user comfort.

• Operating capacity: The works will enable the installation of two new vertical cores on the upper floor. This will optimize passenger flow and enable simultaneous boarding and arrivals, achieving the capacity to operate up to six flights simultaneously.
• Passenger and baggage flow: Baggage courts will be expanded and two new baggage carousels will be added for domestic arrivals (four in total), ensuring greater delivery flexibility. In addition, new boxes for migrations will be integrated to shorten waiting times.
• Infrastructure and services: The renovation includes replacing one of the entry sleeves with a completely new one. In addition, flexible boarding will be created, which will increase the number of seats in the waiting areas. Two new catering establishments are being added, the range of commercial services is being expanded and new health centers are being built.

Bariloche Airport is undergoing a major transformation to expand its capacity

Bariloche Airport with a focus on international connectivity

The investment has a direct impact on the city’s air connectivity, particularly with the regional market, where Bariloche strengthens its strategic role.

• New routes: More international route options will be added in the winter season, highlighting the flights of the Brazilian airline Azul to Campinas, Confins and Porto Alegre and the flights of Aerolíneas Argentinas, Gol and LATAM to São Paulo, strengthening the connection with Brazil. These airlines join those that already operate all year round, such as Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi and JetSmart, as well as Latam and Sky.
• Operational Safety: Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 recalled that during the winter months, the Ice and Snow Control Operation (COIN) remains active, running from May 1st to September 30th. This operation guarantees safe operation with specialized personnel and machines, even in the most adverse winter weather conditions.

The CEO of Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, Daniel Ketchibachian, assured that with this project it is hoped that the increase in the number of passengers “does not encounter obstacles to further growth in the terminals”, emphasizing the need for joint work between the public and private sectors to achieve this goal.